RELAY, Md., April 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Volunteers from
Diageo's bottling facility in Relay last week continued Diageo's long
tradition of community service by helping Habitat for Humanity's
efforts to meet critical affordable housing needs in the
Baltimore-Annapolis region. The project was
spearheaded by a volunteer group of employees at Diageo's
Relay site, which is North America's largest bottling facility for
Captain Morgan Rum. The work helped to complete construction
of homes in the new Orchard Ridge community development, where
Habitat for Humanity of Chesapeake is building 30 affordable homes
for local families.
"We're excited to have the Diageo team recently join
us as a first-time Team Build partner. Together, we
are committed to revitalizing Central
Maryland and, as part of that commitment, the company has
made a donation to support affordable homeownership opportunities
for local families," said Mike
Posko, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Chesapeake. "For their
Team Build partnership, Diageo employees volunteered on the
construction site to build Habitat homes in the Orchard Ridge
community, while also building comradery among employees as they
volunteered together."
The Orchard Ridge community was once home to the notoriously
problematic and underserved Freedom Village and Claremont public
housing high-rises, which were demolished in 2004. Responding
to the critical shortage of affordable housing in the area, Habitat
Chesapeake is completing construction of the 30 new homes in
Orchard Ridge. To date, 19 homes have been completed and sold to
Habitat Chesapeake partner families; six units are currently
underway; and the last building containing five units will be
completed later this year. The Diageo volunteers worked on a
variety of construction initiatives for the homes, which included
framing, flooring and detail work.
"Giving back to the community is a core value within Diageo's
culture," said Sharri Hall, Site
Director for Diageo's Relay Operations. "It was wonderful to be
able to come together as a team, alongside Habitat, and play a role
in the creation of much-needed affordable housing in the area."
Diageo's commitment to community service extends across
North America with hundreds of
employees volunteering thousands of hours each year and
contributing to numerous fundraising activities. Volunteers
at the Relay site participate in a
range of charitable work in the community, including supporting the
American Diabetes Association's Tour De Cure for four years
running, the Adopt a Family program during the holidays, and the
ongoing Zero Harm program wherein the team is awarded $1,000 for charity donation for each month the
site achieves zero lost time accidents.
Diageo has previously worked with Habitat for Humanity in
New York via rebuilding efforts
after Superstorm Sandy. Nationally, Diageo is known for
responding swiftly in times of need and, through its Spirit of the
Americas program, has completed massive relief missions to areas
impacted by natural disasters including Afghanistan, Haiti, Southeast
Asia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, New
Orleans, Oklahoma,
Texas, New York, New
Jersey, Colorado and, most
recently, the Philippines.
Diageo's Relay operation has
played a key role in the Maryland
community for many years dating back generations. The
Relay site was established in 1933
as the first legal distillery in the state of Maryland following the repeal of
prohibition. Currently, the bottling facility employs over
100 people.
Habitat Chesapeake serves Anne Arundel
County, Baltimore City,
Baltimore County and Howard
County.
Photo available upon request.
About Diageo
Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's
leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of
beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands
include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal,
JεB, Windsor, Buchanan's and
Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys,
Captain Morgan, Tanqueray, Guinness, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards
Wines.
Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than
180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the
New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE).
For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and
performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that
promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice
tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
SOURCE Diageo